Radio card

ABSTRACT

A radio card is disclosed that is rigid on one end and relatively flexible on the second end. The radio card&#39;s 68-pin connector and radio are mounted on the rigid end of the card, and the antenna, which is advantageously fabricated from a flexible material, is mounted on the relatively flexible end of the card. When the radio card is inserted into a PC Card slot in the wireless terminal, the rigid end (with the 68-pin connector) is inserted first. When the radio card is seated inside the wireless terminal&#39;s card slot, the flexible end of the radio card (which comprises the antenna) is flexed so that the plane of the antenna is advantageously parallel to the plane of the slot doors or housing or both of the wireless terminal. When the doors and housing of the wireless terminal adjacent to the antenna is unshielded, the antenna can radiate through the doors and housing and can exhibit favorable radio propagation characteristics. Because the radio card does not extend out of the wireless terminal&#39;s card slot, the doors to the card slot can be closed, which prevents dirt and dust from entering the wireless terminal. Furthermore, because the radio card does not extend out of the wireless terminal, neither the radio card nor the wireless terminal are unlikely to be damaged if the wireless terminal is accidentally dropped.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a radio in general, and, moreparticularly, to a radio card that is adapted for use in portablecomputers and other wireless terminals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the last few years it has become increasingly common for a hand-heldwireless terminal (e.g., a notebook computer, a supermarket scanner, awarehouse data-entry device, etc.) to be equipped with a wirelesstelecommunications capability to enable the wireless terminal totransmit information to a host system, or to receive information fromthe host system, or both. For example, a worker in a warehouse can carrya wireless terminal to assist a host system in monitoring inventory. Thehost system can transmit by radio to the wireless terminal a request tothe worker to check how many units of a particular item are in thewarehouse. After the worker has counted the number of units the workercan enter the number into the wireless terminal, which relays the numberback to the host system by radio.

Although some wireless terminals (e.g., cellular telephones, cordlesstelephones, etc.) are manufactured with a permanent, integrated radio,other wireless terminals (e.g., hand-held data-entry devices, notebookcomputers, etc.) are not. One advantage of manufacturing a wirelessterminal without a permanent radio is that it enables the end-user toselect a radio that is appropriate for the environment in which thewireless terminal is to operate.

The wireless terminals that are manufactured without an integrated radioare, however, usually manufactured with the capability to connect to aradio. Typically, the connection is made through an industry-standardspecification that prescribes both the mechanical and electricalinterface. Currently, the PCMCIA "PC Card" interface is the standard towhich almost all wireless terminals are designed.

The PC Card specification prescribes a slot in the wireless terminal forreceiving a credit-card-shaped radio and a 68-pin electrical connectoron both the radio card and in the slot so that the radio card and thewireless terminal can share power, ground and signaling. The PC Cardinterface also specifies the voltage, timing, and signaling protocol oneach lead of the 68-pin electrical connector.

Typically, a PC radio card has a built-in antenna for transmitting andreceiving signals. FIG. 1 depicts a diagram of a top view of a typicalradio card. As shown in FIG. 1, radio card 100 comprises radio 107,which is electrically connected to antenna 103 via lead 105, all ofwhich are mounted on printed circuit board 101. Typically, lead 105 isprinted on printed circuit board 101. Radio card 100 also comprisesconnector 109, which is the 68-pin electrical connector between radio107 and the circuitry within the wireless terminal.

FIG. 2 depicts a diagram of a top view of wireless terminal 201 andradio card 100 when radio card 100 has been properly inserted intowireless terminal 201. FIG. 3 depicts a side view of FIG. 2. When radiocard 100 is seated into wireless terminal 201, that portion of radiocard 100 comprising antenna 103 typically projects out of wirelessterminal 201 because it enables antenna 103 to radiate and receivesignals unhindered by the housing of wireless terminal 201.

There are, however, two distinct disadvantages to having the radio cardproject out of the wireless terminal. First, the fact that radio card100 extends beyond the housing of wireless terminal 201 greatlyincreases the likelihood that the radio card or the wireless terminal orboth will be damaged if the wireless terminal is accidentally droppedand lands on radio card 100. Second, many wireless terminals have one ormore doors (e.g., door 203) that cover the slot into which a PC Card isinserted. The fact that radio card 100 extends beyond the housing ofwireless terminal 201 precludes the closing of door 203, which allowsdirt and dust to enter the wireless terminal.

Therefore, the need exists for an improved radio card design or terminaldesign or both that does not increase the likelihood that the radio cardor wireless terminal or both will be damaged if the wireless terminal isaccidentally dropped and that does not allow dirt and dust to enter thewireless terminal. Furthermore, the improved radio card design orterminal design or both should exhibit favorable radio propagationcharacteristics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A radio card manufactured in accordance with the present inventionavoids some of the costs and restrictions associated with radio cards inthe prior art. In particular, a radio card that is manufactured inaccordance with the illustrative embodiment and that is properlyinserted into a wireless terminal is unlikely to be damaged, or todamage the wireless terminal, if the wireless terminal is accidentallydropped. Furthermore, a radio card manufactured in accordance with theillustrative embodiment enables the PC slot doors of a wireless terminalto be closed while the radio card is in the wireless terminal, whichprevents dirt and dust from entering the wireless terminal. And stillfurthermore, a radio card manufactured in accordance with theillustrative embodiment can exhibit favorable radio propagationcharacteristics while it is inserted in the wireless terminal.

These results can be obtained in an radio card that is rigid on one endand relatively flexible on the second end. The radio card's 68-pinconnector and radio are mounted on the rigid end of the card, and theantenna, which is advantageously fabricated from a flexible material, ismounted on the relatively flexible end of the card. When the radio cardis inserted into a card slot in the wireless terminal, the rigid end(with the 68-pin connector) is inserted first. When the radio card isseated inside the wireless terminal's card slot, the flexible end of theradio card (which comprises the antenna) is flexed so that the plane ofthe antenna is advantageously parallel to the plane of the slot doors orhousing or both of the wireless terminal. When the doors and housing ofthe wireless terminal adjacent to the antenna is unshielded, the antennacan radiate through the doors and housing and can exhibit favorableradio propagation characteristics. Because the radio card does notextend out of the wireless terminal's card slot, the doors to the cardslot can be closed, which prevents dirt and dust from entering thewireless terminal. Furthermore, because the radio card does not extendout of the wireless terminal, neither the radio card nor the wirelessterminal are unlikely to be damaged if the wireless terminal isaccidentally dropped.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a top view of a radio card as known in the prior art.

FIG. 2 depicts a top view of the radio card of FIG. 1 as it rests afterbeing inserted into a wireless terminal.

FIG. 3 depicts a side view of the radio card of FIG. 1 as it rests afterbeing inserted into a wireless terminal.

FIG. 4 depicts a top view of a radio card according to one embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 5 depicts a side view of one illustrative substrate in the radiocard of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 depicts a side view of a second illustrative substrate in theradio card of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 depicts a side view of a third illustrative substrate in theradio card of FIG. 4

FIG. 8 depicts a side view of the radio card of FIG. 4 as it is insertedinto a wireless terminal.

FIG. 9 depicts a top view of a radio card in which a flexible antenna isconnected to a rigid substrate on which a radio is mounted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 4 depicts a top view of an PCMCIA or "PC" radio card in accordancewith an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Radio card 400advantageously comprises a longitudinal substrate that is logicallydistinguishable into two ends. The first end is advantageously morerigid than the second end. The first end has a modulus of elasticity,e_(r), and the second end has a modulus of elasticity, e_(f).Advantageously, e_(r) >e_(f),

As is well-known to those skilled in the art, the substrate can befabricated by two appropriate materials joined mechanically orchemically end-to-end (as shown in FIG. 5). Substrate 501 is made of arigid material and composes the first end and substrate 502 is made of amore flexible material and composes the second end. Alternatively, thesubstrate can be fabricated by a plurality of appropriate materialsjoined mechanically or chemically as a sandwich (as shown in FIG. 6).Substrate 602 is made of a flexible material and is bonded to a morerigid material under the first end, in such a manner that the sandwichis more rigid on the first end than on the second end. In yet anotheralternative, the substrate can be fabricated from a single material thatis thicker on the first end and thinner on the second end (as shown inFIG. 7), such that the thicker end is more rigid than the thinner end.For example, the substrate can comprise glass-filled epoxy wherein thefirst end has a thickness of at least 0.5 mm and the second end has athickness of less than 0.15 mm. It will be understood to those skilledin the art that each of materials 501, 502, 601, 602 and 702 can itselfbe a composite material, such as glass-filled epoxy, or a sandwich ofmaterials, such as a multi-layer printed circuit board. It will be clearto those skilled in the art how to make and use a substrate for radiocard 400.

Referring again to FIG. 4, the substrate advantageously functions as aprinted circuit board that has mounted on it radio 407, connector 409,antenna 403 and lead 405. Radio 407 and connector 409 are advantageouslymounted on the first, or rigid end, of the substrate, and antenna 403 isadvantageously mounted on the second, or more flexible end, of thesubstrate. Connector 409 is advantageously a 68-pin connector thatelectrically connects radio 407 to wireless terminal 501 in accordancewith the PCMCIA form factor. Radio 407 is advantageously a one-way ortwo-way radio as is well-known in the art. Antenna 403 is advantageouslyflexible and flexes with the second end of the substrate. Lead 405advantageously electrically connects antenna 403 to radio 407.

Radio card 400 is advantageously used with wireless terminal 800, whichcomprises a PCMCIA card slot in a standard form factor. Wirelessterminal 800 also advantageously comprises door 803, which covers thePCMCIA card slot and prevents dirt and dust from entering wirelessterminal 800. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of thepresent invention, door 803 is opened to allow radio card 400 to beinserted, rigid end first, into the PCMCIA card slot in wirelessterminal 800. Advantageously, door 803 is closed after radio card 400 isinserted and that causes the flexible end of radio card 400, whichcontains antenna 403, to flex upward (as shown in FIG. 8) or downward.When door 803 is not shielded, the flexing of the flexible end of radiocard 400 places antenna 403 in an excellent position to radiate andreceive signals through door 803. If the end of the radio cardcontaining the antenna did not flex, the antenna's position would causethe antenna to radiate more energy into the electronics of the wirelessterminal, rather than out into the open.

This configuration is also advantageous because radio card 400 does notproject out of the housing of wireless terminal 800, and is, therefore,more resistant to damage. Furthermore, the fact that door 803 is closedprevents dirt and dust from entering wireless terminal 800.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the second end ofradio card 400 comprises a first antenna and a second antenna. The twoantennas are used for antenna diversity purposes. In this embodiment,the first antenna is advantageously connected to radio 407 by a firstlead and the second antenna is advantageously connected to radio 407 bya second lead.

Yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention is depictedin FIG. 9. FIG. 9 depicts radio card 900 comprising substrate 901 havinga modulus of elasticity of e_(r), substrate 902 having a modulus ofelasticity of e_(f), wherein e_(r) >e_(f), radio 907 mounted onsubstrate 901, antenna 903 mounted on substrate 902, and detachableconnector 905 for structurally supporting substrate 902 from substrate901 and also for electrically connecting radio 907 to antenna 903.Detachable connector 905 can be, for example, a bayonet-type connector,or any other connector that provides both structural support between itsparts and electrical connectivity. Advantageously, substrate 901 is arectangular printed circuit board in conformance with the PCMCIA formfactor. The advantage of this embodiment is that substrate 902 andantenna 903 can be easily detached from substrate 901 and radio 907 andreplaced with another substrate and antenna, perhaps because of a changein the frequency with which radio 907 operates. Radio card 900 fits intowireless terminal 800 in the same manner as radio card 400.

It will be clear to those skilled in the art how to make and use radiocard 400, radio card 900 and wireless terminal 800.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising:a longitudinal substratecomprising a first end and a second end, wherein said first end has amodulus of elasticity, e_(r), and said second end has a modulus ofelasticity, e_(f), and wherein e_(r) >e_(f), and thereby capable ofbeing repositionable fully within a housing of a wireless terminal; aradio mounted on said first end of said substrate; an antenna mounted onsaid second end of said substrate; and a lead electrically connectingsaid radio to said antenna.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein saidsubstrate is a printed circuit board.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2wherein said antenna is printed on said printed circuit board.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 3 wherein said lead is printed on said printedcircuit board.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said substratecomprises glass-filled epoxy.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein saidfirst end has a thickness of at least 0.5 mm.
 7. The apparatus of claim6 wherein said second end has a thickness of less than 0.15 mm.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein said substrate is rectangular.
 9. Anapparatus comprising:a longitudinal substrate comprising a first end anda second end, wherein said first end has a modulus of elasticity, e_(r),and said second end has a modulus of elasticity, e_(f), and whereine_(r) >e_(f), and thereby capable of being repositionable fully within ahousing of a wireless terminal; a radio mounted on said first end ofsaid substrate; a first antenna and a second antenna mounted on saidsecond end of said substrate; a first lead electrically connecting saidradio to said first antenna; and a second lead electrically connectingsaid radio to said second antenna.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 whereinsaid substrate is a printed circuit board.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10wherein said first antenna and said second antenna are printed on saidprinted circuit board.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said firstlead and said second lead are printed on said printed circuit board. 13.The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said substrate comprises glass-filledepoxy.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said first end has athickness of at least 0.5 mm.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein saidsecond end has a thickness of less than 0.15 mm.
 16. The apparatus ofclaim 9 wherein said substrate is rectangular.
 17. A radio cardcomprising:a first substrate having a modulus of elasticity of e_(r) ; asecond substrate having a modulus of elasticity of e_(f) ; wherein e_(r)>e_(f) and thereby capable of being repositionable fully within ahousing of a wireless terminal; a radio mounted on said first substrate;an antenna mounted on said second substrate; and a detachable connectorfor structurally supporting said second substrate from said firstsubstrate and also for electrically connecting said radio to saidantenna.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said first substrate is aprinted circuit board.
 19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said firstsubstrate is rectangular.